I’d like to take this time to wish everyone a Merry and Blessed Christmas and also a wonderful and prosperous New Year in 2014.

I always enjoy this time of year, though the arctic cold front and wintry mix we’ve experienced aren’t a lot of fun. A little of that kind of weather goes a long way for me.

I like the holiday season, but the short time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year seems to have made everything such a rush.

Still, I am grateful that we can enjoy Christmas as a family.

My wife Pat and I, daughter Meghan and our pets Bailey and Sassy, wish you the best and hope you enjoy Christmas and the remainder of the holidays.

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Two Seminole State College employees were honored recently for their outstanding dedication and work during the monthly Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum.

Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Fiscal Affairs Natasha Rodgers and Math Instructor Jamie Mills were recognized as “Staff Member of the Month” and “Educator of the Month,” respectively.

The Seminole Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, along with the Lions Club and Blue Ribbon Realty, recognize SSC employees several times during Forum each year. Individuals are nominated from across the campus and chosen by SSC administrators to receive the honor.

Rodgers graduated from Tecumseh High School. She has worked for SSC for the past year and a half. She holds an Associate in Science from Seminole State College and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications from Oklahoma State University. She is currently working on a Master of Education from East Central University.

Rodgers enjoys crafting and spending time with her husband Corey and two children Kreightyn and Pake. She is a member of Sharon Baptist Church in Shawnee.

Mills holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Math, a Master in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. She has also done post-graduate studies in Mathematics at UCO.

She is a board member and past president of the Seminole Humane Society, a member of the Lions Club and a member of the Seminole Public School s Board of Education.

Mills enjoys spending time with her husband Dr. Tom Mills, watching sports – especially when her children Kendall, Brandon or Kirby are playing, reading, word puzzles and games.

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This comes from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife. If not for Christmas, maybe a belated Christmas present idea or for the new year.

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Harvesting a deer with Grandpa's gun, watching a kid catch his or her first fish, or even hearing that first booming gobble on the opening day of spring turkey season - these special moments continually draw men, women and children back into the wooded haunts of big bucks and to waters teeming with crappie or bass. That's why few gifts are more practical and useful for the Oklahoma sportsman this Christmas than an Oklahoma lifetime combination hunting and fishing license.

Lifetime license holders are exempt from the purchase of most annual hunting and fishing licenses in Oklahoma as well as the deer, elk, antelope and turkey license; the Oklahoma waterfowl license, trapping license and the fur license.

"The lifetime license is exactly what it sounds like - a good-for-life hunting and fishing license that sets up hunters and anglers to enjoy almost all of Oklahoma's hunting and fishing opportunities hassle free," said Melinda Sturgess-Streich, assistant director of administration and finance for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "With a lifetime license, sportsmen can bypass the annual ritual of renewing their hunting and fishing licenses and buying licenses for commonly hunted game like deer and turkeys. All these license holders need to do is grab their gear and go. What a great Christmas gift for any sportsman!"

Over time, the lifetime license also represents a significant savings for those who hunt or fish. The lifetime combination hunting and fishing license costs $775, meaning active sportsmen can be saving money on license costs in a matter of years.

"If a youngster in your life is showing interest in the outdoors, now is a great time to hook them for life by getting them a lifetime license," Streich said. "Or maybe you want to reward that longtime sportsman in your life with a gift they'll truly cherish. Giving the gift of a lifetime combination hunting and fishing license is a sure way to send a message of appreciation to a loved one during the holidays."

While a lifetime combination hunting and fishing license represents the best bargain, sportsmen also have the option of obtaining a lifetime hunting license for $625 or a lifetime fishing license for $225.

A holder of a lifetime license - whether it be combination, hunting, or fishing - will not lose the benefits of the license by a change of address, even if he or she ceases to be an Oklahoma resident by moving out of the state. Oklahoma residents of at least six months qualify to purchase a lifetime license.

To obtain any lifetime license, hunters and anglers can submit an application by mail or in person at the Wildlife Department's Oklahoma City headquarters office (1801 N. Lincoln). Mailed applications can be downloaded from wildlifedepartment.com and must be approved by the game warden stationed in the county in which the applicant resides. Full details and applications for obtaining a lifetime license can be found online at http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/license/lifetimeapps.htm.

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If you have ideas or something of interest for this column, please call me at 214-3922 or email me at michael.mccormick@news-star.com. Please include your name and a phone number for contact purposes.